The “sunshine state” of California has been a first name in graduate education. Some of the greatest financial experts and gurus have emerged from academic finance in California. California has a robust collegiate network of business and finance connections for students reaching for a variety of career opportunities. The accredited finance degree programs in California are both plentiful and contribute to a diverse saturation of the career market in the state.

California Lutheran University

School of Management

CLU’s School of Management has been developed for active adults and professionals. The department maintains a high caliber of instruction with a focus on moral awareness. The School of Management has also ranked highly in the consortium of Western Regional Colleges by U.S. News and World Reports. A higher level of competence in financial planning as well as international MBA programs is emphasized.

Master of Business Administration/Finance

The MBA finance track is a popular option that provides additional electives and coursework in business. As a broad program, the MBA elective in finance also affords students the opportunity to participate in a study abroad seminar in management. The Strategic Management Travel Seminar provides an alternative culminating experience in the program to learn from global finance leaders in various destinations around the world.

The curriculum features core coursework in the managerial aspects of economics, accounting, and statistics. Skills on contributing to financial strategy and investing are also a part of what makes this major unique. The 4+1 optional track allows students to get an early start on their MBA by combining graduate coursework in the senior year of their undergraduate program.

A full-time MBA program is also available for international students. This program includes the same content with added advising and planning support for a diverse role in the university.

Master of Business Administration/Financial Planning

Learners geared toward taking the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) examination are in good hands with the inclusive training to sit for the exam. Many classes are offered online and enrollment is on a rolling basis throughout the year. The faculty consists of industry leaders in financial planning at local and state levels. They are also dynamic teachers who emphasize the key areas of testing and planning for the CFP examination. All faculty members have unique ties to various corporations and institutions that require this prestigious certification.

Students have the option of choosing two tracks of study. The first track involves intensive coursework to sit for the Certified Financial Planner examination. The other track focuses exclusively on financial planning only. Each track contains six courses for completion of the MBA. Each track is on an accelerated format for early completion as well.

Accreditation

  • Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Contact
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Road #2300
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Phone: (805) 493-3127
Fax: (805) 493-3542
Email: clugrad@callutheran.edu
Website: http://www.callutheran.edu/management/

California State University East Bay

College of Business and Economics

California State University’s East Bay campus has a clear vision of program objectives for all students. Each objective focuses on strategic coursework in financial markets and analysis. It expands on the vision of “Where all your possibilities come into view.” as its mission statement. CSU East Bay has considerably high ranking as a “top tier” school according to the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review.

Master of Business Administration/Finance

The finance option MBA is divided among 12 units and is considered an elective. A beneficial aspect of this program is the introduction of core fundamental coursework that can be waived by taking an exam to test out of subject material. Coursework also includes a main core of nine courses focusing on everything from corporate financial management to global innovation.

The program focuses on several objectives for achievement. These outcomes include:

  • Improve their ability to manage, motivate and communicate with others in diverse managerial environments
  • Analyze and integrate information from different functional areas of business in managerial decisions
  • Apply quantitative, analytical and technological tools for data driven decision making
  • Make legal and ethical decisions in organizations and society
  • Develop Business strategies that respond to emerging opportunities and challenges in the global environment
  • Develop depth of knowledge in your chosen option field of study

Accreditation

  • Accrediting Commission for Senior College and Universities of Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
California State University, East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., VBT 129
Hayward, CA 94542
Phone: (510) 885-3323
Email: cbe)ssc@csueastbay.edu
Website: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/cbe/

California State University Fullerton

Mihaylo College of Business and Economics

CSU Fullerton’s campus has a strategic vision. That vision is to become a national model for global outlook and community outreach. That vision is embodied at the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics. Fullerton is recognized as the largest business school on the West Coast and maintain over 50,000 alumni and business partnerships within Southern California.

Master of Science in Taxation

CSU Fullerton’s Master of Science in Taxation is a comprehensive program that combines field opportunities in various departments and firms for licensing preparation. The program is offered with several elective choices for students interested in preparing for specialization such as corporate taxation. The Department of Accounting maintains standards based on a conceptual and technical understanding of advanced tax knowledge. This understanding is combined with advanced research skills to become a member of a growing global team.

The program is divided up into a curriculum consisting of nine units of basic tax courses with 12 units of electives culminating in a capstone project. Students have the option of including other electives with consultation of a graduate advisor to further customize their degree. Students should come prepared with a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to business administration. However, this doesn’t have to be a limiting factor in admission. Preparatory courses can be completed at the graduate level in conjunction with foundational coursework as needed.

Master of Business Administration/Finance

The MBA Program at CSU Fullerton is one of the most flexible programs in the nation. The finance program is offered in one of three tracks of study to accommodate busy schedules. The full-time MBA finance program features a 16-month intensive program and leadership academy for developing leadership skills. Each student follows a cohort throughout the program. A flexible MBA program consists of evening courses and can be completed full or part-time with individualized study plans. The FEMBA program is for those currently employed with five years of work experience. It features evening courses under a three-year program.

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
  • The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics
Steven G. Mihaylo Hall
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6848
Fullerton, CA 92834-6848
Phone: (657) 278-1020
Email: mba@fullerton.edu
Website: http://business.fullerton.edu//

California State University Northridge

David Nazarian College of Business and Economics

“Preparing students from diverse backgrounds for leadership in today’s complex, global economy” is the start of the vision for CSU Northridge’s College of Business and Economics. It is a succinct statement on the mission of active partnership in the local community and enhanced learning opportunities from community organization experiences. The department maintains set of learning outcomes on the basis of creating ethical decision-makers:

  • Have strong written and oral communication skills
  • Have strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, including the application of information technology
  • Understand ethics and social responsibility
  • Understand the global context of modern business
  • Understand the cross-functional nature of business problems
  • Understand and can apply key business concepts
  • Can work effectively in teams

The department has been featured as a top ranking program with MBA Roundtable and U.S News and World Report.

Master of Business Administration/Finance

CSU Northridge has a strong MBA program in finance. The program is designed for working professionals and use a variety of experiences for a focus in experiential learning:

  • Business case analysis and lecture
  • Group activities
  • Current articles and topic reading
  • Culminating practical experience or consulting project

The program consists of a core of eight classes with three electives. Individuals without a business undergraduate degree may have to take up to 15 units during the program. The elective concentration in finance is an evening structured degree.

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
  • The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact
College of Business and Economics
18111 Nordhoff Street
Juniper Hall 3109
Northridge, CA 91330-8380
Phone: (818) 677-2467
Fax: (818) 677-3188
Email: deborah.cours@csun.edu
Website: http://www.csun.edu/busgrad/

Chapman University

Argyros School of Business & Economics

The Argyros School of Business is a hub of research study and institutes. The school has 6 unique research centers alone:

  • A Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research
  • C. Larry Hoag Center for Real Estate and Finance
  • Economic Science Institute
  • Institute for the study of Religion, Economics, and Society
  • Walter Schmid Center for International Business
  • Ralph W. Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics

These ‘nodes’ of learning embedded in the campus are what make Chapman University a distinguished member of business schools across the globe. Each department focuses on networking with top leaders as well as scholars for a unique learning experience.

Master of Business Administration/Finance

The MBA program in finance is one of the most intuitive and flexible programs on campus. Students have the option of completing a full-time or part-time program with hybrid and evening courses. The Flex MBA Program prepares students for managerial and executive positions by allowing students to create their own schedule and complete the program according to their time-frame. There are also options for undergraduates to combine this program with their coursework for an integrated five year program.

The graduate MBA program in finance was ranked as #8 in salary increases by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and is ranked nationally with the ability for students to develop start-up plans and gain international capstone experiences. Another hallmark of the program is the career management and support system. There are three areas of institutional support for learning in this MBA in addition to an incubator learning experience:

  • Career Management Center
  • The Janes Financial Center
  • Bloomberg terminal training e-Village

Each of these institutes are a part of the learning experience of transition between the classroom and the corporate or non-profit world of business.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
Argyos School of Business and Economics
One University Drive
ORANGE, CA 92866
Phone: (714) 997-6815
Email: shoover@chapman.edu
Website: https://www.chapman.edu/business/

Claremont Graduate University

Drucker School of Management

“Management as a human enterprise” is the strength behind Claremont’s school of business. Professors infuse the classroom with academic knowledge from published works and lectures on their own fieldwork. Drucker is one of the top-ranked programs in Southern California and contains a rich and culturally diverse student body with expert guidance.

Master of Financial Engineering

Claremont holds the candle when it comes to a unique hybrid of coursework for this graduate program. A joint program between the Graduate School of Management and the Drucker School of Business, the dual program contains a highly global focus in risk management and applied mathematics. The mathematics component allows students to gain a technical expertise in communicating highly complex financial strategies in any situation.

Mathematics and management courses are taken in tandem to achieve synergy between the two core units. A total of 48 units comprise the MSFE program and can be completed within three semesters of full-time study. The mathematics foundational core is made up of 18 units and the financial foundation is made up of 16 unites with a practicum component.

Accreditation

  • Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact
The Peter F. Drucker & Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management
Claremont Graduate University
1021 North Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711-6160
Phone: (909) 607-9064
Fax (909) 607-9104
Email: marilyn.ambrosini@cgu.edu
Website: http://www.cgu.edu/pages/130.asp

Golden Gate University

Edward S. Ageno School of Business

The business school at Golden Gate University is a “school of firsts.” The school has a rich and long history in downtown San Francisco as having the first night MBA program in the area as well as the third largest program in the Bay Area. The graduate school focuses on innovative online and hybrid learning for busy professionals.

Master of Science in Finance

GGU’s graduate finance program is a highly specialized program that looks at all aspects of finance. The 15-unit program emphasizes analytical financial tool skills and organizational management. The program focuses on a unique learning environment on business in the bay area by three pillars for financial professionals:

  • Corporate Finance
  • Investments
  • Capital Markets

The outcome of learning is not to replicate an MBA. The goal is to identify risks and financial models with great intensity on specific areas of interest to working professionals. It focuses less on the broad overview of business and more on the tools and techniques of financial modeling. Students can have a general concentration or focus on either corporate finance or investment management.

Master of Business Administration/Finance

The MBA program at GGU is considered a comprehensive program that focuses on real-life cases in the community as well as the ability to focus on a consulting basis. The 12-unit program includes additional concentration in corporate finance.

Master of Science in Financial Planning

Financial planning is serious business for many institutions and Golden Gate University provides courses and experience through the graduate financial planning program. The intensive curriculum includes a total of 42 units with a focus in all areas of planning. Many of the faculty are some of the top financial planners in the nation, with a wealth of knowledge. Students may be able to complete coursework in advance to move into advanced financial courses.

Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation

This 30 unit program includes a base core unit of intensive understanding of the tax code as well as a case study in financial planning. Students have the option to concentrate in either estate planning or taxation. Prior to admission students will need to have completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination. Completion of the program focuses on learning outcomes that apply critical and practical skills toward complex financial situations with clients.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact
Edward S. Ageno School of Business
536 Mission Street
4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-442-6500
Email: biz@ggu.edu
Website: http://www.ggu.edu/graduate/overview/schools/ageno-school-of-business

The above programs rank as some of the best graduate programs in the field of finance for California. Each program offers a unique perspective on financial planning or management from corporate to individual level planning. Consider contacting a department of interest to begin a booming career in finance today.